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Hulu Talks Live TV and Content Bundles[teaser]Some big changes may be in the works for Hulu, as the company searches for a successful business model. [/teaser] The biggest problem that the folks at Hulu are running into is that there's no precedent for what they're doing. There are successful streaming services out there of course, but none that aims to provide the TV experience without the need for a cable or satellite subscription. "It remains unclear what the business model is," says Time Warner's Bruce Rosenblum. Hulu's owners agree - they're not really sure what to do either. Hulu's Jason Kilar says that the company is up to the challenge though. "When we blaze trails, which is what Hulu is about, it takes time. That is not for the faint of heart, and we understand that." One of the options being discussed is that of providing live television to subscribers and redefining Hulu as an online cable provider, rather than a streaming service. Channels could be purchased in bundles, just like with traditional cable subscriptions. Source: Wall Street Journal (via Engadget)Posted Fri Jan 28, 2011 at 07:00 AM PST by: -
Harman Debuts the SB 16 Soundbar[teaser]It's a 2.1 channel system with an included subwoofer that comes in at $599. [/teaser] When they first launched, soundbars seemed much like the sort of crummy HTiB you'd find on Walmart shelves. Sure, they'll work for the layman, but anyone serious about sound will be buying separates. The SB 16 from Harman Kardon shows that this doesn't have to be the case. Unlike other solutions, which are specifically designed to emulate 5.1 and 7.1 channel sound, the SB 16 is perfectly happy as a stereo system. Of course, it's capable of surround sound processing if that's your preference. Harman's SB 16 boasts a pair of three inch drivers on either side as well as a 3/4 inch tweeter. It also comes with a 10 inch ported subwoofer, driven by 100 watts of power. "To design an elegant technological solution that is convenient to use and can operate seamlessly within its environment is one of the biggest goals that drive us here at Harman," says the company's consumer division president David Slump. "The brand-new harman kardon SB 16 is proof of our continual passion for this goal." Source: EngadgetPosted Thu Jan 27, 2011 at 10:45 AM PST by: -
Atlantic Technology's WA-50 Gives You 300 Feet of Wireless Audio[teaser]The new wireless solution eliminates the need to run audio cable to subs and rear speakers. [/teaser] There's a lot to love about a great home theater, but there's plenty to lament as well. Running cables for example. It can be a pain, especially if you end up with spaghetti hiding behind your television. Cords can be an eyesore too, ruining the look of an otherwise classy room. The WA-50 is designed to eliminate those problems. Using a transmitter and receiver, you can send wireless stereo audio up to 300 feet with line-of-sight, or 150 feet through walls. You can hook up powered subs and rear speakers, or pump sound to another room. You'll need powered speakers for the WA-50 to work, and you'll need a receiver for each of the speakers you want to send sound to. The WA-50 can be had for $199, with each extra receiver coming in at $89. Source: eCousticsPosted Thu Jan 27, 2011 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
Adobe Adds Utility and Security to Flash Video Streaming[teaser]A new partnership with thePlatform allows for simpler delivery of streaming content. [/teaser] Adobe is a big name in the streaming world. The top 10 video streaming sites in the world - including YouTube, Hulu, and NBC Universal - all use Flash, created by Adobe for the purpose. Thanks to a new partnership with a Seattle-based company called thePlatform, Flash is getting some added features. Adobe's going to be using the company's video management software to allow for easier streaming to multiple platforms. The new implementation will also help companies keep their content secure, and to better monetize their videos. John Vartanian, the Chief Technology Officer over at iN Demand, is excited for the addition. "The alliance of thePlatform and Adobe will result in a significant upgrade of the video management and distribution capabilities for our online video product." Source: Home Media MagazinePosted Thu Jan 27, 2011 at 07:00 AM PST by: -
Blu-ray Players Could Sell For Under $40 This Year[teaser]Similarly, low-end 42 inch HDTVs may be available for less than $300 according to DealNews. [/teaser] Beth Pinsker is the editorial director of DealNews.com, a site dedicated to helping consumers get the best deals on the things they want. They keep tabs on prices for individual items as well as items in each category. Pinsker says that the data they've been tracking is helping them to predict pricing for the next year. Blu-ray players sold for as little as $79 in 2009 and $50 in 2010, but the folks at DealNews are expecting even lower prices for 2011. "You'll probably see a lot of Blu-Ray players bundled as extras with TVs, but you’ll also see them as doorbusters and priced like crockpots," she writes on the site. Pinsker also says that we'll see less expensive TVs in both the 42 inch and 55 inch categories. "Once they hit $299, 42 inch LCD HDTVs will destroy the waning market for 32 inch LCD HDTVs," she writes. Source: DealNewsPosted Wed Jan 26, 2011 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
LG Sets Sights on Large OLED Mass-Production by 2013[teaser]LG continues to talk a big game, but we're still waiting to see some displays. [/teaser] It's hard to keep track - are we still really excited about OLED technology or does the fact that we've been waiting for it for years take away from the anticipation? Either way, LG has made another big announcement relating to OLED displays. The company is going to be ramping up production of OLED sets and hopes to start making large sets by the end of 2013. That's almost three years away, but at least it's a believable prediction. Plans are still in place to introduce a 31 inch OLED set to the US and European markets later this year, and a prototype 55 inch OLED display is reportedly in the works for 2012. Source: OLED-Display (via Engadget)Posted Wed Jan 26, 2011 at 07:00 AM PST by: -
NICT Creates a 200 inch Glasses-Free 3D Display[teaser]And we thought the sixty-something inch displays from Toshiba were impressive! [/teaser] Japan's National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) has created a 200 inch 3D display that doesn't need glasses for observation of the 3D image. The displays aren't going to be for home use, nor will they be made for theaters. They're being designed to bring advertisements to life in a way never seen before. The 200 inch size was chosen so that advertisers could display full-scale images of cars or life-sized people. The system uses 64 individual projectors that send a picture to the 2.5 meter high and four meter wide screen. The NICT says the tech isn't quite ready yet, with light control and color balance being among the primary issues. Source: CrunchGearPosted Tue Jan 25, 2011 at 11:39 AM PST by: -
Vudu 2.0 Interface Now Live[teaser]The update for Vizio TVs and Samsung devices is in the works, but everyone else should have access now. [/teaser] If you have a device hooked up to your home theater that sports Vudu integration, you'll be greeted with a brand new interface when you turn it on. There's no need to download anything or set anything up - everything happens automatically. The new Vudu interface provides you with faster access to the movies you want to watch, a recommendation list based on your viewing history, as well as browsing and navigation tweaks designed to make things quicker and easier. Those using Vudu on a Vizio TV or Samsung device are out of luck - the update for Vizio and Samsung is still in the works, though Vudu says that they expect to roll it out soon. Source: Vudu Blog (via EngadgetPosted Tue Jan 25, 2011 at 11:00 AM PST by: -
Fox Plants Over One Million Trees for 'Avatar'[teaser]James Cameron declares himself King of the Shovel... [/teaser] Meanwhile, the company exceeded its goal thanks to the help of 31,000 people and 17 organizations. 20th Century Fox had a goal with the release of 'Avatar.' Not only were they going to make a whole lot of money, but give back a little bit while they were at it. To do this, they partnered with 17 different organizations and Earth Day Network to plant 1,000,000 trees on six different continents. That's right, no love for Antarctica. "Our program to plant 1 million trees resulted in fans around the world fervently getting involved to promote a healthy, sustainable planet," says 20th Century Fox president Mike Dunn. "That alone has made this initiative a huge success." The partnership exceeded the goal, by getting 1,006,639 trees into the ground, helping to restore threatened forests and to restore those lost in fires. Source: Home Media MagazinePosted Tue Jan 25, 2011 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
Netflix Streaming Spending May Hurt Margins[teaser]Netflix is paying a lot for new streaming content, but that might end up hurting them. [/teaser] The folks over at Netflix are at the top when it comes to paid streaming content, and they'd like to stay that way. In order to keep that position, they're spending money - lots of it - on the acquisition of streaming content, no matter the quality or lack thereof... It's a sound strategy, but industry analyst Michael Pachter of Wedbush Morgan Securities says the company may be going a bit overboard. Spending too much on new content will offset the increased subscriber base and eat into the company's margins. "We believe that Netflix will be challenged to grow at its current pace for more than another year," says Pachter. This also does not take into account drop off from former customers unhappy with resulting changes to the mail delivery options in connection to 28-day rental delays and inconsistent stocking of related titles. Source: Home Media MagazinePosted Tue Jan 25, 2011 at 07:00 AM PST by:
